Block Island Epitaphs
Extracted from A Copy of
The Old Epitaphs in the Burying Ground of Block Island, R. I.
Edward Doubleday Harris, 1883
[Note: Many of the inscriptions use the "long s" which resembles a lower case f - I've transcribed the inscriptions as they are shown in the book along with the genealogical notes included by the author.]
[Thick sandstone without ornamentation]
HEARE LIETH
THE BODY OF M
MARGRET GVTRY
AGED 64 YERS WHO
DEPARTED THIS
LIFE APRIL 5, 1687
Robert Guthrig was Town Clerk in 1675, and probably the same Mr. Robart Guttereg, or guttrig, was freeman of the colony in 1684, and died in 1692. The surname is a corruption of Goodrich, a family numerous in Connecticut at that time.
[Horizontal sandstone slab]
HERE LYES IN
TVRRED T-E BODY
OF MR IAMES SANDS
SENIOVR ADED 73
YEARS DEPARTED
THIS LIFE MARCH
THE 13 1695
James Sands, with wife Sarah, though not in the first company, was on the Island early enough to participate in first division of lands. He was a freeman in1655, and was Representative in 1678, 1680, and 1690. He had sons, John, James, and Samuel, who settled at Cowneck, L.I., Edward, and Job, and daughters, Sarah (who married Nathaniel Niles) and Mercy (who married Joshua Raymond). His wife Sarah died before July 6, 1702. Captain John Sands and James Sands, Jr., were freemen of the Island in 1684.
HERE LYETH INTERRED
THE BODY OF CAPTN
EDWARD SANDS WHO
DEPARTED THIS LIFE JVNE
Ye 14 1708 IN Ye [illeg.]
YEARE OF HIS AGE
Edward Sands was the youngest son of James, the first settler. The figures denoting the age are illegible on the gravestone. Livermore deciphers them as 43. He was made freeman in 1696; left at his decease a wife and daughter Sarah, but probably no other children.
[Slate-stone]
Here Lieth ye
Body of Thomas
DICKENS who died
Sept ye 4th 1718
Aged 50 Years.
His wife Sarah died in 1733. Nathaniel DICKENS was freeman of providence in 1655.
[Slate-stone]
Here lyeth
William Son
of Nathanael
DUN and of
Elizabeth his
wife dyed May
ye 16th 1721
aged 6 years.
[Slate-stone]
Here Lieth ye
Body of Sarah
ye Wife of Thomas
DICKENS who
died April ye 3d
1733 aged 59
Years.
[Slate-stone]
Here lieth ye
Body of Truftrum
DODGE died
Augft 18th 1733
In ye 87th year
of his age
Probably the son of the member of the first company of the same name, whose name is in the list of freemen with his father's in 1678, designated respectively as Senior and Junior. The grave of the elder man is not marked.
[Slate-stone]
Here lieth ye Body
of Nathaniel MOTT
died Septm ye 14th
1733 In ye 26th
year of his age
Nathaniel & John MOTT were freemen in 1678, the former being Town Recorder or Clerk in 1695, and holding the office for many years. He was Representative to the General Court, also, in 1710. Edward MOTT was Constable in 1700.
[Slate-stone]
Here lieth ye Body
of Captn Thomas
RATHBUN died Decemr
ye 26th 1733 Aged
76 Years.
Thomas RATHBONE, a freeman in 1678, was probably a son of John. He was a Representative in 1700, and for several years afterwards.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Nathaniel DUNN
died Febry ye 28th
1735 Aged
64 Years.
The name does not occur in the early lists of settlers or freemen.
[Slate-stone]
Here lieth
James ye Son of
Jeremiah & Mary
SHEFFIELD died
Septr ye 8th 1736
Aged 2 Years
& 6 Mo.
[Slate-stone]
Here
Lies ye Body
of Darkis ye widow of
Truftrum DODGE who
Died Febry ye 18
1737 in ye 74th
year of her Age
[Horizontal slate-stone slab]
THIS MONUMENT
Is erected to the Memory
of SIMON RAY Efquire
One of the original Proprietors
of this Ifland
He was largely concerned
In setling the Townfhip
And was one of the chief Magiftrates
and such was his Benevolence
That besides the care which he took
Of their civil Intrefts
He frequently inftructed them
In the more important Concerns
Of our Holy Religion
He was deprived of his Eyefight many Years
Cheerfully fubmitting to the will of God
His Life bein in this trying Inftance
As in all others
A Lovely Example of Chriftian Virtue
He died on the 17th of March 1737
In the 102th Year of his Age.
Simon Ray, Senior, was the son of Simon of Braintree, Mass, who died there 30 Sept. 1641. He was one of the original proprietors of Block Island, and was in the Taunton company that arrived there in 1661. In 1676 he was Deputy Warden and afterward Warden of the Island, was a freeman in 1664, and for many years represented the colony in the General Assembly. He married Mary, daughter of Nathaniel Thomas of Marshfield, Mass., and had issue: Mary, b. May 19, 1667; Dorothy, b. Oct. 16, 1669; Simon, b. April 9, 1672; Sibel, b. March 19, 1675.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Sarah ye Wife
of Henry WILLIS
died Sept ye 8
1738 Aged
49 Years.
[Slate-stone]
Here lieth ye Body
of William ye son
of Ebenezer &
Ann DODGE died
Jany ye 26 1739
Aged 3 Yrs. 3
Mo & 16 Days.
Trustam or Trustarum Dodge (sometimes spelled Daudg or Daug in the old records) was one of the first company from Taunton in 1661, was a town officer in 1676, had been admitted freeman in 1664, was living in 1684, and is thought to have been the ancestor of the after generations of Dodges on the Island. John and William Dodge, and a Trustarum, perhaps sons of the first settler, were freemen in 1678.
[Horizontal slab of slate-stone]
IN MEMORY OF
Rebecca ye Wife of
Mr. Ackrus TOSH died
April ye 15th 1739 In ye
44th year of her age.
[Horizontal slab of slate-stone]
IN MEMORY OF
Mr. Ackurs TOSH died
June ye 21ft 1739 In ye
54th year of his age.
William Tosh was a passenger in the ship that carried the first company of settlers from Taunton in 1661. He was made a freeman in 1664, constable in 1676, and died in 1685; probably the father of Ackurs. Daniel Tosh, probably a brother of William, was freeman in1684. Both seem to have escaped the notice of Savage.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Capt Thomas
MITCHEL Junr died
March ye 29th 1741
in ye 59th year
of his age.
Capt. Thomas Mitchell Jr., was probably the son of the Thomas whose name was enrolled among the Freemen in 1678, and who is named in Niles's account of the Indian and French Wars in 1689, Mass. Hist. Coll., 3d Series, Vol. VI.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Elizabeth ye Wife
of Nathaniel DUNN
died May ye 19th
1741 Aged
69 Years.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Patience ye
Wife of Samuel
RATHBUN died
Augft ye 3d 1747.
[Slate-stone]
Sarah Daughter
of Edward &
Mary BALL
died Decemr
ye 23rd 1747
Aged 1 Year
& 1 Month
An Edward Ball was enrolled in the Freeman list as early as 1678. John & Peter Ball were freemen in 1709.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Jofhua ye Son of
Mark & Lydia
DODGE died Jany
ye 1 1747/8 Aged
1 Year & 2 Months.
[Slate-stone]
Dorothy ye
Daughter
of Nathanael
& Ann LOCK
died Novr 3d
1749 Aged 8 Mo
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Amous ye Son
of Samuel & Pru
dence CHAMPLIN
died Febry ye 11th
1749/50 in ye 11th
year of his age.
[Slate-stone]
Dorothy ye
2d Daughter
of Nathanael
& Ann LOCK
died Novr 16th
1750 Aged
1 Year 1 Mo &
6 Days.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Prudence ye Wife
of Samuel CHAMPLIN
died Janry ye
28th 1750/1 in ye
34th year of her age
[Slate-stone]
Abraham Son
of Jofeph &
Neomy MITCHELL
died Novr 9th
1751 Aged 1 Year
1 Mo & 27 Days
[Slate-stone]
Elizabeth ye
Daughter of
Thomas & Judi
th HUBBART
died Novr ye
13 1751 Aged
3 Years 8 Mo
& 17 Days
Thomas Hubbard was of Boston and his wife Judith was the eldest daughter of Capt. Simon Ray.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory
of John MOTT
who died Augft25th
1753 in ye 53d
Year of his Age
John Mott was admitted freeman in 1721.
[Horizontal slate-stone slab.]
Beneath THIS STONE
Are depofited the Remains
of SIMON RAY Efquire
Who for many Years
Was one of the chief Magistrates of this Town
He filled the moft important Offices
With honor to Himfelf
And Advantage to his Country
To fupprefs Vice and promote Virtue
was the fixed Aim of his private Life
And public Authority
He was a Lover of Learning
Justice and Benevolence
A Friend to his Country and ever attentive
to the Interefts of this Ifland
He was a fincere Believer in our Saviour
Anf by a faithful Obedience to his Precepts
Truely adorned the Chriftian profefsion
He died on the 9th March 1755
In the 85th Year of his Age.
Simon Ray was born 9 April, 1672, on the Island, the only son of Simon the first settler, by wife Mary. He had issue: Judith, b. Oct. 4, 1726, married Thomas Hubbard; Anna, b. Sept 27, 1728, married Samuel Ward, afterward Governor of Rhode Island; Catharine, b. July 10, 1731, married William Greene, also a Governor of Rhode Island; Phebe, b. Sept. 10, 1733, married John Littlefield.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Ann ye Wife of
Nathanael LOCK
who died May
ye 11th A.D. 1755
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Ann Daughter of
Nehemiah & Mary
DODGE who died
July ye 29 1755
Aged 39 Years
[Sandstone]
Here lyeth The Body of
Willm GREFFETH Borne Sepr
12th 1715 Drowned at Block
Island October 19th 1755
Aged 40 Years.
[Slate-stone]
Matthia Son
of William &
Katharine ROCK
died Novr ye 4th
1755 Aged
16 Years.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Samuel RATHBUN
who died Janry 24th
1757 in ye 85th
Year of his Age.
John Rathbone was one of the first company from Taunton in 1661, and one of the first landholders. The list of freemen of 1678 includes the names of John, Senior and Junior, Thomas, and William. The Samuel above was probably a grandson of the elder John, and was born 3 Aug., 1672. His wife, Patience, died 3 Aug, 1747.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Abigail ye Wife of
Jonathan MITCHELL
who died April 9th
A.D. 1757 in ye
60th Year of
her Age.
Jonathan Mitchell was admitted freeman in 1728. James Mitchell is said by Livermore to have been a freeman in 1683. Thomas Mitchell was admitted in 1678, and was probably the father of the Lieutenant and Captain of the same name but of later date, and the ancestor of the Block Island families.
[Slate-stone]
Samuel George
Son of Jofeph &
Neomy MITCHELL
died Novr 10th
1759 Aged 3
Years 11 Mo 5
Days
[Slate-stone]
IN MEMORY of
Allice the Wife of
Mr. Carder HAZARD
who died Jany ye 1st
1760 in ye 21th Year
of Her Age.
She was a Kind Wife
A Tender Parent
And a worthy Friend.
[Slate-stone]
IN MEMORY OF
Hannah ye Wife of
Edward SANDS Efqr
who died Janry 18th
A.D. 1760 in the
52d Year of her Age.
[Slate-stone]
IN MEMORY of
MERCY wife of Mr
CALEB LITTLEFIELD
who died April ye 3d A.D.
1761 in ye 66th Year of
her Age.
Caleb Littlefield was made freeman in 1721. The name, although common on the Island in later years, did not occur until that date.
[Slate-stone]
IN MEMORY of
PHEBE ye youngeft Daughter
of SIMON RAY Efqr & Wife
of JOHN LITTLEFIELD
Efqr was born 27th Sept
1733 & died April ye 30th
1761.
[Slate-stone]
IN MEMORY of
Elizabeth the Wife
of Mr. John SANDS
who died Augft 31ft
A.D. 1765 in ye 19th
Year of her Age
Stop Reader spend a mournful tear
Upon the Duft that slumbers Here
And while you Read the state of me
Think on the Glafs that runs for thee.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory
of Abigail
Wife of
Samuel DUNN
who died
July 17th 1771
in the 29th
Year of
her Age.
[Slate-stone]
Sacred
to the Memory of
EDWARD SANDS Efqr
who died October 21ft 1778
Aged 66 Years
Having sustained several
Offices of public Trust
and discharged the
relative Duties of Life
with Credit to his Country
and Honor to himself
[Slate-stone]
In Memory
of
SIMON RAY LITTLEFIELD
Efqr
who departed this Life
March 31ft 1780
in the 29th Year of his Age.
[Sandstone]
This Stone is Erected
by the Affectionate
and Afflicted parents
of Samuel GRUMAN 2d
of Norwalk in Connec
ticut who was drowned
June 14th 1791 near
Crab-Meadow Long
Ifland in the 27th year
of his age
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
HANNAH wife of Mr
JAMES ROSE
who departed this Life
december 1st, 1791 in the
60th year of her Age
She was a kind wife, a tender
Parent and beloved by all her
Acquaintance.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
Samuel Beckwith MITCHELL
Son of Dickens & Sarah
MITCHELL, died June 21ft 1794
in the 8th year of his Age
This lovely youth to death bowed down
While friend and parents round him mourn.
[Brown-stone]
In MEMORY of
Mrs. MARY BRIGGS
the Virtuous Confort of
Mr. NATHANIEL BRIGGS
fhe died March 7th 1795
aged 25 years.
A Lady highly refpected for
her domeftic virtues and for
her exemplary piety -- but!
How lov'd how valued once avails thee not
To whom related or by whom begot.
[Slate-stone]
In Memory of
JOHN LITTLEFIELD
Efqr
who died June 13th 1796
aged 79 years 3 Mo & 13 days.
John Littlefield was the son of Caleb and Mercy of Block Island. He was admitted freeman in 1738, was Representative in 1747, and for many following years.
[Brown-stone]
In Memory of
Mr. Edward BALL
who died June 17th 1796
in the 70th year of his age
A kind hufband tender Father
affectionate friend and well
beloved by all his acquintance.
As you pafs by pray caft an eye
As you are now fo once was I
As I am now fo muft you be
Prepare for death and follow me.
One Edward Ball was on the freeman list of 1684, byt he was probably a resident as early as 1678. He is supposed to have been the ancestor of all the later individuals of the name on the island.
[Brown-stone]
In memory of
Mr. Daniel MOTT
who departed
this life June 14th
1798 in the 57th
year of his age.
He was a kind and loving
husband and a tender
parent.
[Slate-stone]
In memory of
Mr. TORMETT ROSE
who died June 1st
1803,
in the 73d year
of his age.
The original settler spelled his name Thormut or Tormot. He was one of the first company from Taunton in 1661, and was assigned land there in the first division. He was early a Town Officer, was made freeman in 1664, and was living certainly as late as 1684. The same Christian name has been perpetuated in the family under various spellings, until, according to Livermore, it has assumed the form of Thomas. William Rose was the captain of the vessel that brought the first company to the island, but it does not appear that he remained.
[Slate-stone]
In
Memory of
Janette Sherry
Daughter of
Burton & Huldey BRIGGS
who died May 2nd 1804
aged 2 month & 9 days.
[Slate-stone]
SACRED
to
the Memory
of
PHEBE
amiable confort of
Mr. TREADWELL SANDS
who died
March 27th A.D. 1805
in the 39th year of
her age.